Summit Life with J.D. Greear

Have you ever tried negotiating with God? It’s a common occurrence, but as Pastor J.D. points out, we can’t bargain with God, because he doesn’t need anything from us in the first place! We’re in Romans chapter 4, and it’s part of our new series called Phantom Faith.

As we dive into a brand new study called, Phantom Faith, Pastor J.D. explains the difference between true, saving faith and those who’re just going through the motions. Some of us might be living a shadow of the true Christian life without even knowing it. But it’s time to wake up, because there’s so much more in store!

If you were to ask a hundred people what it means to be “Christian,” you’d probably get a ton of different answers. Some think it means that you come from a Christian family. Others think it means you go to church. Still others just think it means that you believe in God. So what’s really the defining factor? Pastor J.D. brings some clarity on this issue and defines what it truly means to be a follower of Christ. It’s the final message in our series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

The term “Christian” has become almost meaningless in recent years, especially in America. If you believe in God and don’t really identify with any other religion, then you probably call yourself a Christian. But is that really all it takes to be a “follower of Christ?” Pastor J.D. challenges us to reevaluate what we really mean by the term “Christian”. It’s part of our series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

Most people are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan. It’s a nice story about loving others and being the bigger person. Isn’t it? Pastor J.D. suggests that Jesus had a deeper message and a bigger purpose in mind when he told this story. It’s part of our series called In Earth as it Is in Heaven.

How good do we have to be to get into heaven? J.D. Greear answers that question as we jump into a brand new series called, In Earth as it Is in Heaven. Pastor J.D. is unpacking the story of the Good Samaritan. He’s getting right to the heart of the difference between works-based religion, and the gospel of Christ. We’re discovering why religion and good works are never enough to save us.

As Pastor J.D. concludes our powerful study in the book of Hebrews called Christ is Better, we’re looking at how the power of the gospel connects to real-life. The gospel isn’t just head knowledge; it should produce visible changes in our work, our marriages, our finances, and our churches.

The gospel is the power for living out the Christian life. And just like a lamp, you can’t shine for Jesus unless you’re plugged into the right power source! But what does that look like on a practical level? How does the gospel change the way we act in our jobs, our marriages, or our hobbies? Pastor J.D. is in a study of Hebrews called, Christ is Better.

Everyone wants to be comfortable and safe from the unknown, but as we’ll discover, that’s not always God’s plan. And even when it’s scary, God always knows best! Pastor J.D. is in a study of the book of Hebrews called, Christ is Better, and he’s teaching from Hebrews 12:15-29.

If there’s one thing people want, it’s security. But we’re looking in all the wrong places! Pastor J.D. describes the only source of true peace of mind, and it’s not burglar alarms or home insurance. There’s nothing wrong with those, but even they can fail. Eternal security is only found in one place. The author of Hebrews calls it, “a kingdom that cannot be shaken.”

From day one, Christians have faced ridicule, torture, and even death because they refused to give up their faith. And though Christians in America may not face physical attack, those who truly want to live for God still face intellectual attack, being labeled as radicals and lunatics. In fact, Richard Dawkins once argued that teaching a child about God should be considered child abuse. So in a world that’s opposed to everything we believe, how can we stand strong? Pastor J.D. brings an answer from Hebrews chapter 12.

On this edition of Summit Life, we’re talking about a relevant question that a lot of Christians might be afraid to ask: How do I trust God when I don’t feel like he’s there? When a prayer goes unanswered, or you just don’t feel that connected to God, trust can be hard to come by! But throughout our study of Hebrews, we’re finding that there are reasons to believe!

In many parts of the world, faith in Jesus means losing your job, your family, and maybe even your life. But here in America, most of us never have to face that choice. And because it’s so easy to call yourself a Christian here, it’s also easy to have superficial faith. After all, it’s not hard to say you trust God until trusting him becomes a matter of life and death. But as we’ll learn, faith is always a matter of life and death—whether we realize it or not!

It’s really not hard to be a cultural Christian today in America—going to church periodically, enrolling your kids in Awana, and maybe even serving as a greeter or Sunday school teacher! But none of those things really requires faith. On this edition of Summit Life, Pastor J.D. describes the real difference between mere belief and saving faith. It’s a message from our study in Hebrews called, Christ is Better.

All of us have skeletons in our closets—past mistakes that haunt us. And whether we embrace our sins or try to hide them, apart from Christ, we’re all slaves to them. But there is hope! On this edition of Summit Life, Pastor J.D. describes the only way to be freed from sin. It’s part of our study in Hebrews called, Christ is Better.